UK MoD invests in training sites
Three test and training sites across the UK will continue to be modernised and managed by QinetiQ under a £1 billion contract amendment announced by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 2 December.
The amendment to QinteiQ’s Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) contract aims to deliver around £300 million in efficiencies over the next 11 years.
Approximately £180 million has been earmarked to modernise air ranges at MoD Aberporth, Wales, and MoD Hebrides, Scotland, to ensure the facilities continue to meet MoD requirements.
The funding also covers investment at MoD Boscombe Down to provide a fleet of modern training aircraft and an up-to-date syllabus for test aircrew training at the Empire Test Pilots’ School.
QinetiQ will reduce infrastructure costs, modernising equipment and aircraft, and adopt a more strategic approach to the delivery of test and evaluation and training support capability.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin, said: ‘This new deal will ensure our armed forces get world-class training and testing facilities and services while making substantial efficiencies, ensuring excellent value for money for the taxpayer.’
The LTPA is a 25-year enabling arrangement contract with QinetiQ with a total cost estimated at £5.6 billion, which came into effect on 1 April 2003. The arrangement covers the costs of running UK test and evaluation ranges, the operational staff that support the ranges and equipment.
More from Training
-
![British Army Strategic Training Partner bidders drop from seven to four]()
British Army Strategic Training Partner bidders drop from seven to four
Three of the bidding consortia have dropped out of the competition to become STP for the British Army Collective Training Service.
-
![What is preventing the US Pentagon from succeeding in multi-domain scenarios?]()
What is preventing the US Pentagon from succeeding in multi-domain scenarios?
Outstanding issues to be addressed include improving doctrine, increasing the number of joint exercises and better integrating capabilities across the services.
-
![AI innovation set to revolutionise military training landscape]()
AI innovation set to revolutionise military training landscape
Artificial intelligence offers unprecedented potential to revolutionise military training, enabling agile and decisive forces.
-
![Training Together: Unlocking Educational Excellence through Military and Industry Collaboration (Studio)]()
Training Together: Unlocking Educational Excellence through Military and Industry Collaboration (Studio)
Military training is ultimately about people. At Capita, training programmes are built on close engagement with partners, delivering an educational approach that can adapt to individual needs, cultivate leadership – and drive wider cultural change.
-
![Three A-29 Super Tucanos find new home at US Air Force Test Pilot School]()
Three A-29 Super Tucanos find new home at US Air Force Test Pilot School
Embraer’s light attack aircraft were selected by Edwards Air Force Base to join its test pilot school, following their abandonment by US Air Force Special Operations Command.
-
![Enhancing Military Training Through Digital Technology (Studio)]()
Enhancing Military Training Through Digital Technology (Studio)
Digital technologies offer huge opportunities for defence training. However, militaries must adopt an agile approach, placing the needs of their organisations and personnel at the centre of their efforts.
